New York, Oct 20 (IANS): Megakaryocytes or large cells found in bone marrow play a critical role in regulating stem cells, found a study.

In fact, haematopoietic stem cells differentiate to generate megakaryocytes in bone marrow. The study is the first to show that haematopoietic stem cells (the parent cells) can be directly controlled by their own progeny (megakaryocytes).

The results could lead to new treatments for patients recovering from chemotherapy or organ transplantation.

"Our results suggest that megakaryocytes might be used clinically to facilitate adult stem cell regeneration and to expand cultured cells for adult stem cell transplants," said lead author of the study Meng Zhao from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Missouri, US.

The researchers found that megakaryocytes directly regulate the function of murine (mice) haematopoietic stem cells - adult stem cells that form blood and immune cells and that constantly renew the body's blood supply.

These cells can also develop into different types of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

The researchers discovered that as a terminally differentiated progeny, megakaryocytes regulate haematopoietic stem cells by performing two previously unknown functions.

"Megakaryocytes can directly regulate the amount of haematopoietic stem cells by telling the cells when they need to keep themselves in the quiescent stage and when they need to start proliferating to meet an increased demand," Zhao concluded.

The study appeared in the journal Nature Medicine.